Are EMPty Propane Tanks Worth Anything?

While empty propane tanks have no monetary worth until they are recycled, shops frequently offer discounts on new tanks.

Most propane tank stores will swap an empty propane tank for a filled one at a reduced price.

Scrap yards will take propane tanks if you no longer need them, but the price they will pay is the going rate for metal scraps.

What are the prices for tiny propane tanks?

To figure out how much a propane tank for your home will cost, you’ll need to figure out how big it needs to be. The majority of tanks can be built above or below ground.

Gallon Propane Tank Costs

Heating, cooking, the fireplace, the dryer, and normal hot water can all be powered by a 120- to 325-gallon tank. However, if you want to stretch out the number of times you replenish it, a 500-gallon tank might be more practical, requiring only a six-month refill. Multi-zoned residences and homes with hot tubs and jacuzzis would require a significantly larger tank.

Price for Large Propane Tanks

A large propane tank costs about $1,500 for a 500-gallon tank and $2,500 for a 1000-gallon tank on average. For domestic use, a 500-gallon tank is recommended. Propane tanks bigger than 500 gallons will, in most situations, necessitate permanent underground installation.

Larger tanks are necessary for customers that consume 5,000 gallons or more of propane per year, which is typically major businesses or farms that use it for farming chores like corn drying. Costs range from $11,000 to $80,000 for tanks ranging from 2,000 to 30,000 gallons. 2, 4, 6, 12, and 18,000 gallon tanks are common. A tiny, sub-metered community can be powered by 30,000-gallon tanks.

Cost of Small Propane Tanks for Grills

Expect to pay between $50 and $150 for an empty shell for small grilling and auxiliary propane tanks. A basic 20 pound tank will set you back roughly $35, while a larger 100 pound tank will set you back around $150. These compact cylinder tanks are ideal for powering small appliances such as an outside grill or a backup generator. At the swaps, there are often offers for purchasing an extra tank.

Small Propane Tank Sizes

Propane tank sizes are measured in pounds, gallons, and capacity, which might be perplexing. Portable tanks are available in both single-use and refillable varieties. The following are the smallest tanks or cylinders:

Is Walmart willing to take back empty gas tanks?

Details about the product. Visit swap in your empty tank for a new one, go to the Blue Rhino Tank Exchange. It saves you time by eliminating the need to replenish, and you can relax knowing that your replacement has been certified and inspected for damage. This propane tank swap is provided at select Walmart locations as an in-person service.

Are propane tanks recyclable?

Many landfills, recycling centers, and scrap metal dealers will not accept unwanted tanks for recycling due to the likelihood of propane remaining in the tank. However, certain propane exchange firms, such as Blue Rhino, will gladly accept and recycle your unused propane cylinders at no cost to you.

What is the weight of an empty propane tank?

It’s grilling season, yay! What’s the first thing you’re going to make? What about burgers and hot dogs? Barbecued chicken, perhaps? Kebabs? If you don’t have enough propane in your gas grill cylinder, the only thing you’ll be doing is ordering takeout.

But how can you know how much propane is left? Because most 20-pound propane grill cylinders do not come with a gauge, it can be difficult. But don’t worry, we’ve got some advice for you!

The warm water trick

This is a simple and safe method of determining how much propane is remaining in your cylinder. Here’s how it’s done:

Is it possible to get to the summit of that cool spot? That’s where your propane cylinder’s fill level is. This works because the heat from the water is absorbed by the liquid propane within your gas cylinder. The cylinder’s metal becomes chilly to the touch as a result of this.

Weigh the tank

There should be two numbers stamped on the handle of your propane BBQ cylinder if you look closely. One is for water capacity, and the other is for “W.C.” The other is for tare weight, or the weight of nothing “TW” The weight of the cylinder when it is empty is known as the tare weight. When empty, most propane grill cylinders weigh around 17 pounds and store roughly 20 pounds of propane.

This figure will indicate how much propane is remaining in the cylinder. If your tank weighs 26 pounds and has a tare weight of 17 pounds, you have around 9 pounds of gas left. That’s a little more than half of a tank.

Install an external gauge

An external gauge for your propane grill cylinder can be found at most hardware and home improvement stores, or you may get one from Amazon. There are a few options available to you:

  • Analog propane scales, which resemble luggage scales at airports and are pre-programmed to account for your tank’s tare weight.
  • Installed between the gas line from the grill and the cylinder’s cutoff valve are inline pressure gauges. These gauge the cylinder’s fullness by measuring pressures.
  • Digital propane cylinder scales not only provide you a digital display of the gas fill percentage in your cylinder, but they also give you an estimate of the remaining cook time. Some even have apps that you can download to your smartphone!

Frank Lamparelli’s propane cylinder kiosk makes it easy

To purchase a full propane barbeque cylinder, you don’t have to wait for your local home improvement store, hardware store, or convenience store to open. You can restock your propane cylinder supply at our self-service propane cylinder kiosk at 1026 Turnpike St. in Canton, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You have the option of exchanging your empty cylinder for a full one or purchasing a new one.

How much does a 20-pound propane tank cost?

The cost of purchasing your own propane tank, as well as the amount of propane consumed over the year, should be considered while deciding whether to exchange or replenish.

Is It Cheaper to Refill Propane or Exchange?

Refilling a propane tank is around $1.76 per gallon less expensive than exchanging. It costs roughly $3-$4 per gallon to refill your own propane tank, while swapping costs about $5-6 per gallon. Many propane exchange schemes, on the other hand, only fill their 20-pound tanks with 15 pounds of propane.

This means you’re paying for a full tank but only getting 20 pounds of propane. This also implies you’ll have to change your tanks more frequently. In the end, this could mean that the expense is a wash. It’s up to you whether you want convenience or more control over how much gas you have in your tank.

Exchanging Too Soon Can Be Costly

The majority of people replace their tanks before they are entirely empty. You’re essentially putting money on fire if you replace your tank before it’s completely empty. So, if you utilize the exchange scheme frequently, you could be squandering a significant amount of money.

Is Propane Cheaper if You Own Your Own Tank?

If you buy propane on a regular basis, investing in your own tank makes a lot of sense. If you have propane remaining in your tank when you go to refill it, you will spend less per gallon and will pay less to refill it.

It might not be worth it to buy your own propane tank if you only use it once in a while. You’ll spend a little more if you use the exchange scheme, but you won’t have to pay for a tank up front.

How Much Does a 20 LB Propane Tank Cost?

Depending on the brand, features, and quality, an empty propane tank might cost anywhere from $35 to $60. Having a built-in gas meter gauge adds roughly $20 to the price, but it can save you a lot of bother in the long run because overfilling is a typical problem.

You can get one from a big box retailer such as Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart. Alternatively, you may order it from Amazon and have it sent to you. If you’re going to buy rather than exchange, I recommend getting one with a built-in gauge, like the one shown below.

Does propane have a shelf life?

Another reason to use Bottini Fuel for propane delivery is that propane does not have a shelf life or an expiration date. This is due to the fact that propane is non-perishable! Other fuels, such as kerosene, diesel, heating oil, and gasoline, can degrade with time.

What is the weight of a gallon of propane?

The weight of a gallon of propane is 4.11 pounds. That is, if you measure it at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s vital to remember that LPG’s density of 4.11 lb/gallon only applies at room temperature (77F).

Gases (even liquified gasses like liquid propane) expand at higher temperatures and contract at lower temperatures, as we all know. As a result, when we calculate how much propane weighs per gallon, we must additionally factor in the temperature.

This also explains why the 80 percent maximum filling guideline is necessary when filling propane tanks. In the third section, we’ll utilize this rule to figure out how many gallons a 20-pound propane tank can contain. A 20-pound gas tank can only carry 16 pounds of propane.

To demonstrate that a gallon of propane does not always weigh 4.11 pounds, here are some propane densities at various temperatures:

Higher temperatures cause the density of propane to decrease, the volume of propane to increase, and the pressure within a propane tank to rise.

Reduce the temperature by increasing the density of propane, reducing the volume of propane, and lowering the pressure inside a propane tank.